Johnson Cancer Research Center provides $345,042 for research and education
Wednesday, May 22, 2019
MANHATTAN — Cancer research at Kansas State University has gotten a large boost from donations made to the university's Johnson Cancer Research Center.
"Cancer research is expensive, but it is the necessary first step in saving lives," said Stephen Keith Chapes, Johnson Cancer Research Center interim director and professor of biology. "And unlike cancer treatment providers who can charge fees to cover their costs, researchers are constantly seeking funds to support their work."
Private donations to the cancer research center allow it to provide faculty and students hundreds of thousands of dollars a year in competitive awards to support innovative cancer research, laboratory equipment purchases, mentoring of student researchers and more. Information about all the awards is accessible on the center's award programs webpage, cancer.k-state.edu/awards/.
In fiscal year 2019, the Johnson Cancer Research Center awarded $345,042. In addition to $50,000 to establish a Center of Excellence for Pancreatic Cancer Research and $114,943 to support graduate students, the center provided $78,709 for studies into such things as cell cycle regulation, premature aging of fat tissue and subsequent increased cancer risk in obese children, development of an exosome-based cancer imaging agent, and selective isolation of tumor cells circulating in the body.
"We are grateful to our many allies helping us conquer cancer, and pleased to redistribute their gifts to our most promising research programs and students," Chapes said. "Those dollars are making a big difference, often being leveraged into large extramural grants."
"With excellent basic research in stem cell technology, virology, immunology and nanotechnology, as well as many opportunities for students through paid and mentored research experiences, K-State is making its mark in cancer research and as an outstanding public research university," said Richard Myers, Kansas State University president.
The Johnson Cancer Research Center currently has 100 affiliated faculty researchers conducting multidisciplinary cancer research in 20 departments at Kansas State University. Its programs are supported by private donations. More information about the center is at cancer.k-state.edu.
